Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 469 On the Eve of the Men's Singles Final
The interview is over.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao didn't linger and hurried off to physical therapy.

After all, a more important men's singles final awaits Chen Jin in a few hours, so he must seize the time and make the most of every second.

Push open the door to the physiotherapy room.

The room was brightly lit, and various physiotherapy equipment was quietly arranged.

Apart from Wang Hao, who arrived first, there was no one else there.

"what?"

Zhang Jiahao looked around in confusion. "Where's Xiong Ge? Did he go to the bathroom?"

The "Brother Xiong" he mentioned is the physiotherapist assigned to Chen Jin's physical recovery within the team.

"Brother Xiong!"

Zhang Jiahao shouted.

But Wang Hao interrupted him: "Stop shouting, I just contacted Zhao Xiong, he's not here."

"Not here?"

Zhang Jiahao was stunned. "What do you mean?"

There were only three physiotherapists accompanying the team to the Doha World Table Tennis Championships, and Zhao Xiong was one of them.

Although he's feeling better, the coordination and arrangements are passable.

As early as last night, Wang Hao had contacted Zhao Xiong in advance, asking him to take charge of Chen Jin's physical recovery after the men's doubles final.

Everything was originally in place.

But in the end, Zhao Xiong was nowhere to be found.

Zhang Jiahao looked at Wang Hao with a questioning gaze, noticing that the latter's expression was somewhat gloomy.

It was obvious that Wang Hao was also a little displeased.

"Da Tou's private therapist took leave last night and went back to China because of an emergency at home."

Wang Hao said in a deep voice.

Therefore, the physiotherapist originally assigned to Chen Jin was temporarily called away by the Beijing team on the grounds of "urgent need" to treat Wang Chuqin.

As a core player of the men's team, Wang Chuqin has been competing for many years and has suffered injuries to varying degrees.

Arranging for Zhao Xiong to receive physical therapy is procedurally justifiable.

Moreover, Wang Chuqin's physical training and physiotherapy were previously provided by the Beijing team, and did not take up any of the team's resources.

It is reasonable to temporarily call in physical therapists now.

When Wang Hao made the call, the people from the Beijing team said that Zhao Xiong would be able to return in an hour after Wang Chuqin finished his physical therapy.

Faced with such a statement, Wang Hao was unable to refute it for a moment.

"Depend on!"

Zhang Jiahao roared, "Damn it, this is definitely intentional!"

"Why did this happen right before Jin Ge's final? It's impossible!"

"His physical therapist left, so he came to steal from us? It's clearly intentional!"

Chen Jin remained silent, his expression calm.

Several contingency plans had already flashed through my mind: contacting two other physical therapists, or calling Coach Li Qian over to act as a physical therapist...

"Don't worry."

Wang Hao calmly said, "I'll coordinate."

He immediately took out his phone to contact the other physiotherapists accompanying the team.

However, the situation was worse than imagined.

The other two physiotherapists accompanying the team had already been booked in advance by other team members who had competitions to attend, and were currently busy.

For a time, it was impossible to find a single available professional physical therapist.

"How about we talk to other teams and borrow their physical therapists?"

Zhang Jiahao suggested.

"Let me try."

Wang Hao had the same idea, "I'll ask Qiu Dang."

I picked up my phone, about to make a contact.

At that moment, the door to the physiotherapy room was pushed open again.

A figure walked in.

"Old Xie?"

The person who arrived was Xie Mingyang.

These past two days, he was called to the Beijing team to serve as a sparring partner for Wang Chuqin in his preparations for the semifinals and finals.

He spent most of his time with Wang Chuqin.

I rarely meet with Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao.

"Pooh!"

Zhang Jiahao rolled his eyes and spat on the ground, "Traitor!"

As if he hadn't heard, Xie Mingyang ignored Zhang Jiahao and walked straight toward Chen Jin.

Are you looking for a physical therapist?

Xie Mingyang asked.

"Ah."

Chen Jin nodded and readily admitted to the matter.

"Sure enough."

Xie Mingyang nodded and then asked, "Did you find it?"

"not yet."

Chen Jin said, "We're trying to figure something out."

"Don't think about it."

Xie Mingyang turned around, looked towards the door, and called out, "Come in, please!"

The voice just fell.

Several foreigners carrying large and small bags appeared before Chen Jin and his group.

"This is the strength and conditioning coach, Mr. Panic, and this is the physiotherapist, Mr. Badio."

Xie Mingyang explained, "They are core members of Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner's team, responsible for Sinner's physical training and physiotherapy recovery."

"Earlier, I worked in Djokovic's team for many years."

After listening to Xie Mingyang's introduction.

Zhang Jiahao was still bewildered, but Chen Jin and Wang Hao exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

Sinner's rapid rise and exceptional physical condition in recent years, as well as Djokovic's almost age-defying competitive lifespan, are inseparable from the top-notch physical therapy teams behind them.

This is definitely not someone you can just hire casually.

It's not something that the physical trainers and physiotherapists of the Chinese national table tennis team can easily provoke.

"This……"

After a moment of surprise, Wang Hao said, "How much? The team will pay."

Although he knew it would be a considerable expense.

Even if he, as the head coach of the men's table tennis team, approved the report, the team might not necessarily accept it.

"Need not."

Xie Mingyang shook his head, "I'll take responsibility for the people I invited."

"Consider it a gift to congratulate Chen Jin on winning the men's doubles championship."

Chen Jin reached out and lightly bumped fists with Xie Mingyang, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes: "Thanks."

"Small idea."

Xie Mingyang smiled calmly.

Without further delay, they proceeded.

Panic and Badio briefly explained Chen Jin's situation—he had just finished a high-intensity five-game men's doubles final and would be facing the men's singles final in a few hours, so he urgently needed the most effective physical recovery and muscle relaxation.

Both experts are highly experienced.

After listening, he immediately nodded to indicate that he understood.

Watching Chen Jin begin receiving professional and effective physiotherapy under the care of these two internationally renowned experts, Wang Hao's previously anxious heart finally settled down. "Cough cough."

Standing to the side, Zhang Jiahao glanced at Xie Mingyang out of the corner of his eye and said somewhat awkwardly, "Um... Xie, I'm sorry."

Thinking back to her indiscriminate accusations, she felt a little embarrassed.

He scratched his head, his gaze wandering, and his voice was much lower than before, carrying a clear sense of embarrassment.

An apology, though awkward, comes from the heart.

Are you apologizing to me?

Xie Mingyang glanced at him coldly.

"What? No?"

Zhang Jiahao raised his head, "A true man can be long or short, thick or thin..."

"Kneel down."

Xie Mingyang said abruptly.

"what?"

Zhang Jiahao's eyes widened instantly.

"Only an apology like this shows sincerity."

Xie Mingyang said coldly.

"The one surnamed Xie!"

As if his tail had been stepped on, Zhang Jiahao almost jumped up, "Don't push your luck!"

Seeing Zhang Jiahao's agitated state, Xie Mingyang's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

But it was quickly suppressed again.

His tone remained flat and even: "You don't have to kneel, just treat me to a meal."

"You want me to treat you to dinner?"

Zhang Jiahao pursed his lips and muttered, "You're turning against the Heavenly Gang, aren't you?"

"However, I'm happy to have won the men's doubles championship this time, so I'll treat you to a meal."

The sudden generosity was a bit overwhelming.

After glancing at Wang Hao not far away, Zhang Jiahao moved closer to Xie Mingyang.

“Hey Xie, tell me the truth.”

Zhang Jiahao lowered his voice, "These past two days, have you deliberately infiltrated the enemy's ranks and found out that someone was planning something bad, so you took precautions and found an outside therapist for Brother Jin?"

He always felt that everything was too coincidental, so coincidental that it seemed like it was all man-made.

"Wang Chuqin's private therapist did indeed book a flight back to China last night because of a family emergency."

Xie Mingyang said calmly.

"So, you're saying I'm overthinking it?"

Zhang Jiahao frowned.

Xie Mingyang did not respond to this.

at the same time.

Hotel gym.

Zhang Lei, the head coach of the Beijing team, stood outside the door, having just finished a phone call, and his expression was not good.

"Why does Xie Mingyang always side with outsiders?"

Zhang Lei sighed, but there was nothing he could do.

I just learned that Chen Jin, with Xie Mingyang's help, found a replacement physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach.

Moreover, it's a world-class team like Panic and Badio.

This completely disrupted his previous expectations.

It was thought that temporarily transferring Zhao Xiong would at least put Chen Jin in a state of confusion and anxiety before the final.

Even just one or two hours is enough to disrupt their preparation rhythm.

Now, all plans have failed.

Looking back at Wang Chuqin, who was doing physical training, Zhang Lei put his phone in his pocket and strolled towards a corner of the gym.

Several laptops were placed on the table.

The Beijing team's tactical analyst was intently watching the data and simulation animations constantly appearing on the screen.

"Coach Han."

Zhang Lei asked in a low voice, "How's the analysis going?"

Upon hearing this, Coach Han looked up, adjusted his glasses, and displayed the confidence characteristic of a technical professional.

"Don't worry, Instructor Zhang."

Coach Han said, "My self-developed AI combat analysis system is currently at the world's top level in terms of both underlying computing power and deep learning-based behavioral pattern analysis capabilities."

As he spoke, he gently moved a laptop and pushed it in front of Zhang Lei.

"This simulated match is based on high-definition video data from all of Chen Jin and Wang Chuqin's public matches and closed training sessions over the past year. It includes the trajectory, spin, speed, scoring rate, error types, and even their habitual reactions under different score pressures. It is absolutely the most realistic prediction."

As he spoke, he typed on the keyboard, bringing up a complex dynamic chart with red and blue curves constantly intertwining and colliding.

"Based on Wang Chuqin's own technical characteristics, the system has been repeatedly deduced and confirmed that the most effective and winning tactical system for Wang Chuqin is to quickly connect and cooperate with strong attacks in the mid-to-close range, use speed and changes in landing point to suppress Chen Jin's backhand, and at the same time limit Chen Jin's high-quality forehand topspin."

Coach Han explained in detail.

"Based on this optimal tactic, what are Wang Chuqin's chances of winning?"

Zhang Lei asked.

He cares more about the result than the process.

"Uh……"

Coach Han paused for a moment.

With a loud thud, the keyboard was slammed down.

The image on the screen flickered.

A percentage figure appeared before their eyes.

—41.77%.

“Only 40%?”

Zhang Lei frowned deeply.

Such a winning percentage is far below his expectations.

It's worth noting that Wang Chuqin is also one of the world's top athletes.

After some targeted training, Zhang Lei anticipated that even though Chen Jin was in the limelight, Wang Chuqin's chances of winning should be at least 50/50.

"Instructor Zhang, it's not that Wang Chuqin isn't strong enough, but Chen Jin's current stats... are just too abnormal."

Coach Han shrugged helplessly, his tone tinged with admiration for their absolute strength: "The quality of their forehand and backhand, the range of their footwork, the stability of their defense, and their ability to seize crucial points are all at an extremely high level in the existing data model. There are almost no obvious weaknesses."

"A 40% win rate is the highest value calculated by the system after optimizing Wang Chuqin's tactical execution and assuming that his on-field performance is at its peak."

Hear the words.

Zhang Lei remained silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

They went to great lengths, even resorting to some unscrupulous means, to influence Chen Jin's preparations, not just for a less than 50% chance of winning.

"Isn't there any way to improve the win rate?"

Zhang Lei stared at Coach Han.

Meeting Zhang Lei's gaze, Coach Han habitually extended his right middle finger and pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

His eyes behind the glasses flickered.

"Have!"

Coach Han's voice was low and deep, with a calm and almost cold analytical tone: "Given the physical strength of both teams' athletes and the established tactical framework, the only variable is... off-field factors."

"Off-field factors?"

Zhang Lei's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he repeated those four words in a low voice.

It looked as if it was chewing on something.

The light cast interplay of light and shadow on his face, obscuring his expression.

Only in those slightly narrowed eyes did a complex and enigmatic light flash.

(End of this chapter)